BOGALUSA, La. — Bogalusa is a city divided. On one side, it’s Mayor Tyrin Truong and the people who elected him.
On the other, it’s council members, who he says, don’t approve of his leadership.
“We’re constantly being barred, and I think the citizens are tired of it,” Bogalusa Mayor Tyrin Truong said. “They want the city council to work with the mayor’s office.”
At a town hall on Friday, the officials had the chance to make amends, but turnout wasn’t good. Only one council member showed up.
“You’re not here, but I guess the meeting will go on without you,” one resident yelled.
The mayor and his supporters attended the meeting, including Bradley Theyers. He says the drama is getting out of hand.
“We want our city back, and this is just garbage that’s blocking everything and we’re suffering,” Bogalusa resident Bradley Theyers said.
According to Mayor Tyrin Truong, the great divide started when he took office back in January, and it’s been downhill from there.
Friday’s town hall was called after a tumultuous city council meeting earlier in the week.
During a heated conversation over a budget freeze, Council Member Penny Douglas was escorted out by police, after the mayor claimed she threatened him.
Friday's town hall was called after a tumultuous city council meeting earlier in the week.
“I have a double barrel shotgun, and both barrels are loaded,” Council Member Penny Douglas told Truong.
The next day, he posted on social media, announcing that he would take legal action against Douglas. Truong says he’s concerned about the ripple effect the incident could have on a city already fighting youth gun violence.
“Bogalusa is one of the most dangerous places in the state right now, and we’re working so hard to change that narrative,” Truong said.
As for Theyer, he’s just ready for the city’s halves to be made whole.
“It’s kind of like an estranged couple, and they need to get back together and work because they work for us,” Theyers said.
On Monday, the council voted to temporarily freeze the city budget. Truong vetoed that vote, but they will take a new vote on Monday. It is not clear if Council Member Douglas will be at that meeting.
WWL Louisiana tried to reach out to Council Member Douglas for a comment, but we haven’t heard back from her yet.
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